Best Whole House Generator Reviews: 2017

When disaster strikes no one is comfortable with just making do. Modern standby generators are capable of supplying power for the whole home. These generators start quickly and automatically, have generous run time due to being connected to your residential gas supply and can sit for years on standby till you really need it.

There is no reason to pull the portable out of storage, have to fuel it up, add oil, hope it starts and then try to figure out what is the priority appliances and devices to run. Standby generators eliminate the trouble and they can even add value to your home.

More Power For Your Buck

Standby generators come in a wide range of sizes and price points. Enough for almost any size home to derive a benefit from installing a standby generator. Standby generators are enclosed in a weather resistant shell that keeps out the elements and allows your generator to remain protected and safe so it can supply power when you need it.

Many come with the necessary transfer switch and some are capable of a high level of power control such as load shedding, balancing, and level adjustments. Some can be located as close as 18 inches from the home and with professional installation can be quickly connected to your home grid.

The Size Matters

What is important when considering a standby generator is getting one of the right capability. This means getting one that will supply enough watts in both continuous generation and surge capacity to run the home with no interruption.

While you can use average house demand to assist you but the best way is to total all the voltage and amperage each electrical device and appliance requires. Then it is a simple matter of multiplying the total voltage by the total amperage, add 1 to 2K watts on top and this is the size you home needs.

Five Standby Generators For The Whole Home

Top Home Standby Generator

Champion is well known for their portable generators and their standby units are built to the same rigorous standards. This specific model – Champion Power Equipment Model #100177 Generator supplies 8.5Kw of power in an instant. It comes with a 50 amp, outdoor rated transfer switch and it comes with an option of natural gas or propane.

The unique gullwing design enclosure keeps the elements out but allows easy access. This generator also uses a sub-zero system, allowing for fast activation in temperatures down to -21 degrees F. This is a new generator for the 2016 model year.

Best Home Standby Generator

Available without a transfer switch, this generator – Honeywell Model #6034 Generator can be coupled with a Honeywell, specially designed switch for better performance. The generator itself produces up to 20kW, more than capable of running your internal AC, sump pumps, and freezers and refrigerators at the same time.

The heavy duty construction of the enclosure prevents weather intrusion and the generator will activate in less than 10 seconds. This is a new generator on the market for the 2016 season but it is built to the demanding standards established by Honeywell.

Best Whole House Generator System

When it comes to engines and power equipment, one company is a household name, and that name is Briggs & Stratton. This model of generator – Briggs & Stratton Model #40484 Generator supplies up to 20K of power and can easily activate within seconds of a low power condition.

The enclosure is of a heavy duty construction while the internals has a whole house system to efficiently manage your power demand. People who have and use this generator love the heavy duty construction, the fact it is certified to be located close to the home and the clean and stable power supplied.

Best Standby Generator to Buy

Producing more than enough power for the average home, this 20Kw generator – Kohler Model #20RESAL-200SELS is a dual fuel, natural gas or propane generator from the experts at Kohler. It comes with a 200 amp transfer switch and will quickly activate within seconds of a power drop.

It is capable of self testing and the unit is enclosed by a 100 percent, corrosion resistant shell that can be used on the coast or coastal areas with no issue. It is backed by a 5 year/2000 hour warranty and people who have this generator love the dependable power and the corrosion resistance.

Best Gas Powered Standby Generator

Being a leading supplier of generators both large and small, Generac generators for use as standby power are both reliable and dependable. This specific generator – Generac Model #6438 Generator produces 11Kw of energy, enough for most homes and comes with a 200 amp, service rated transfer switch. It is fully EPA and CARB compliant and is certified by the UL.

This generator has a unique design that ensures clean and stable energy production for sensitive electronics. People who have this generator love the very stable and clean energy production and the longevity of the unit.

Before purchasing or installing a new standby generator, make sure to contact your local authorities for any required permitting or any local regulations that require adherence. For most locations, a professional is required to install the service connection to ensure a safe and reliable transfer.

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